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Marcus Miller 'Live & More'

Marcus Miller is much more than a great bass player. As demonstrated on his new recording "Live & More", Miller is also a talented band leader, singer, bass clarinetist, and, above all, a great songwriter. Miles Davis used to say, "Everything Marcus does is musical. He even walks with great 'time'." Such a strong statement is well deserved. His style of bass playing has set the standard for the genre. He has written some of the great pop-jazz tunes of the last decade (do you remember David Sanborn's "Chicago Song", "Maputo", or Miles Davis' "Tutu"?). He also produced most of Luther Vandross's albums, ran Miles' band for many years, and appeared as sideman on countless albums. So, what does Marcus offer as bandleader? A great band for one. These tracks are graced by Kenny Garrett, Everette Harp, Hiram Bullock, the master feel of Poogie Bell and Lenny White on drums, and a couple other surprise guests.

I want to talk about this clarinet thing he does. The bass clarinet is dark instrument with very few masters in jazz. Eric Dolphy and Anthony Braxton are about the only ones who took it seriously, until Marcus. Miller showcases it on the Billie Holiday classic "Strange Fruit". You know, this isn't like Ornette playing the violin. Marcus really can play this thing! He also uses its low, hollow tone for coloring and texture. On "Maputo" it creates a wonderful, haunting counter-point to the vamp riff lead by sax great Kenny Garrett. And if that weren't enough, the two studio tracks at the end of this disk feature Marcus playing soprano sax!

A Marcus Miller live album wouldn't be complete without his classic "Tutu". Replacing Miles' muted trumpet is Michael "Patches" Stewart. Known more for his studio work, I hope that this album helps establish him as great soloist as well. Also featured is Kenny Garrett -- whose ideas are endless, as is his harmonic and rhythmic imagination. Ten years after its release on the Miles album by the same name, this tune has become a jazz anthem. It's slow, eerie melody is truly unforgettable.

"Live & More" is a great Marcus Miller primer for the uninformed, but fans will be satisfied too. Overall, I give it four stars which means Buy A Copy!

Rating: 4 stars (out of 5), excellent!

-AJL

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